Psalm 16:8-11 have set the Lord continually before me;Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory [my innermost self] rejoices;

I love that David penned some of the most beautiful and poetic psalms in the midst of his deepest struggles. David’s life was far from easy. It was filled with grief and war. There were trials, failings, and cries for God’s protection. Even as king, he experienced enormous highs and devastating lows.

Psalm 16 is titled, “Miktam of David.” Some scholars speculate the word Miktam translated means golden or something of great value. Others reference Miktam as a musical composition written to be sung in times of trouble or anguish. Taking that into consideration, we, too, can lean on this psalm for great hope and comfort in times of trouble.

In your presence there is fullness of joy: David writes this psalm after King Saul tries to kill him. He knew fullness of joy is not based on circumstances. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). In the presence of God’s Spirit there is peace and overflowing joy. We’re invited to abide in His joy no matter how hard our circumstances become.

The life lived in close fellowship with God is a life overflowing with joy! Some people’s view of the Christian life is one of grim determination, a life where “commitment” means that I don’t enjoy anything, but that everything is about sacrificing what I’d like.

But listen to what David says in this Psalm: “My heart is glad, and my glory rejoices . . . fullness of joy . . . pleasures forever.” Does it sound like David was a solemn character? Where did his joy and gladness come from? He tells us, “I have set the Lord continually before me.” That joyful determination to put God first meant that God got involved in David’s life. God was “at my right hand.” We often fall so far short of what we want to do for God, but we need to recognize that God never falls short if we will walk with Him.

Charles Spurgeon said it best when he said, “We are also told that heaven is to be enjoyed at the right hand of God. The right hand, even on earth, is the place of favor, and the place of honor, and the place of security. The right-hand place is always regarded as the place of dignity and nobility in all courts. God is not going to give his people any left-handed heaven, but they are to dwell at his right hand for evermore